The Questions
1) You’re marooned on a small island with one
person and one item of your choice—who is that person and what item do you
have?
Doctor Who and the TARDIS – endless possibilities! Given my druthers, I’d choose either the 4th
Doctor (Tom Baker), or the 11th Doctor (David Tennant).
2) Which musical would you say best exemplifies
your life – and which character in that musical are you?
Oddly enough, I’d have to say Tevya from Fiddler on the
Roof. He has worked hard all his life,
and wishes
3)
Take these three words and give me a 100 word or
less scenario using them: insurance,
owed, talk
She knew she owed him a stern talk, but she avoided it like
the plague. She couldn’t get past the
fact that she had discovered the insurance policy he had bought – was there
something sinister behind it? Or was he
just being cautious? She just couldn’t
read him.
4)
What is your idea of how to spend romantic time
with your significant other?
Usually a night out for sushi, and cuddling on the couch
with a good movie. Of course, a good
movie is likely something fantasy or science fiction, as we are both incurable
geeks!
5)
When you start a new story, do you begin with a
character, or a plot?
Since I write non-fiction travel, I start with the myth and
history of a place. My research always
reveals interesting things I didn’t know, and it fuels my inspiration for the
rest of the book.
6)
If they were to make the story of your life into
a movie, who should play you?
I would love Betty White – a sweet, innocent exterior with a
wicked, dirty-mind center!
7) Who’s your favorite horror villain and why?
I think Hannibal Lechter is my favorite – he is a genius who
orchestrates everything in his life like a
8)
Do you have an historical crush and if so, who
is it?
Definitely – Brian Boruma, the last true High King of
Ireland, 1000 years ago. What a
man! He evicted the Vikings from
Ireland, brought the whole island under one rule, and died in battle – at age
84, according to most accounts! How
could this man be anything less than vital, compelling, and full of
charisma? I am looking forward to the
movie they are producing on him, for 2014 – 1000 years after the Battle of
Clontarf, which took his life.
9)
Is there a story that you’d like to tell but you
think the world isn’t ready to receive it?
I am starting to write the story of my parents’ love and
eventual marriage, 30 years after I was born – we shall see if people want it
or not!
Twitter:
greendragon9
IRELAND: MYTHICAL, MAGICAL, MYSTICAL
By
Christy
Nicholas
BLURB:
Do you find yourself
drawn to the magic of the Emerald Isle? Would you like to see places beyond the
typical tourist traps? Come, join me on a journey through the mists of legend,
into the hidden places of mystery. Immerse yourself in the legends and myths,
the history that has made this island precious in the hearts and minds of
millions. Along with the tales and history, there is practical information on
planning your trip, budgeting your costs, and finding the best places to while
away the magical hours of your holiday.
EXCERPT:
The
Magical Facet The Fair Folk
Everyone has heard of fairies, of creatures with supernatural powers to curse, to bless, to find gold, or to cause mischief. Literature and art is full of them from Shakespeare to contemporary artists Amy Brown or Jasmine Beckett-Griffith. Western culture, especially in the US, is bred on Disney’s Tinker Bell, children’s books of flower fairies from Victorian artists, and grim tales of the darker side of these Fae folk.
Everyone has heard of fairies, of creatures with supernatural powers to curse, to bless, to find gold, or to cause mischief. Literature and art is full of them from Shakespeare to contemporary artists Amy Brown or Jasmine Beckett-Griffith. Western culture, especially in the US, is bred on Disney’s Tinker Bell, children’s books of flower fairies from Victorian artists, and grim tales of the darker side of these Fae folk.
In Ireland, fairies, known as the Sídhe
(pronounced shee) or the Good Folk, originate from the Tuatha Dé Danann, the
people who immigrated to the island before the Sons of Míl. Supposedly full of
powers, the Tuatha Dé Danann could not bear to be near iron, and therefore
their superior skills were for naught. Rather than leave the land they loved,
they agreed to reside below the earth. For this reason, caves are said to be
entrances into their underworld homes. Traces of this legend can be seen in the
classic film, Darby O’Gill and the Little People, where Darby is led under a
mountain to the Fairy King’s palace.
Ireland
has countless portals, be they hills, hawthorn trees, caves, wells, or other
sacred places.
A more Christianized origin of these creatures claim they are angels which fell to Earth before humans resided there. They live beneath the waves or gardens, and while some are evil, others can be helpful as long as they are treated with respect.
While many modern legends show the fairies to be sweet, kind, magical creatures, this is really a Victorian creation. The traditional views in Ireland and Scotland show the Sídhe to be mischievous to the point of cruelty a force to be reckoned with. They are not sought out by the wise. In fact, most of the herb and spell lore of an almost forgotten era is meant to instruct how to keep you from coming to the Folks’ attention.
A more Christianized origin of these creatures claim they are angels which fell to Earth before humans resided there. They live beneath the waves or gardens, and while some are evil, others can be helpful as long as they are treated with respect.
While many modern legends show the fairies to be sweet, kind, magical creatures, this is really a Victorian creation. The traditional views in Ireland and Scotland show the Sídhe to be mischievous to the point of cruelty a force to be reckoned with. They are not sought out by the wise. In fact, most of the herb and spell lore of an almost forgotten era is meant to instruct how to keep you from coming to the Folks’ attention.
AUTHOR
INFORMATION:
My name is Christy Nicholas, also known as Green Dragon. I do many
things, including digital art, beaded jewelry, writing, and photography. In real
life I'm a CPA, but having grown up with art around me (my mother,
grandmother, and great-grandmother are/were all artists), it sort of infected
me, as it were. I love to draw and to create things. It's more of an
obsession than a hobby. I like looking up into the sky and seeing a beautiful
sunset, or a fragrant blossom, a dramatic seaside. I then wish to take a
picture or create a piece of jewelry to share this serenity, this joy, this
beauty with others. Sometimes this sharing requires explanation – and
thus I write. Combine this love of beauty
with a bit of financial sense and you get an art business. I do local art and
craft shows, as well as sending my art to various science fiction conventions
throughout the country and abroad.
Find Christy here:
www.GreenDragonArtist.com
www.GreenDragonArtist.com
Find Christy’s book here, and at other eBook stores:
A great post thank you. Loving your Historical crush. Quite a man. I hadn't heard of him before.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
A great post thank you. Loving your Historical crush. Quite a man. I hadn't heard of him before.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thank you much! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you much! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading this wonderful book.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks for sharing Ireland and the giveaway. I hope to one day visit. I am looking forward to reading the book. evamillien at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read!!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com